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"You're… a demon?"
Anna blinked at Edgar, not sure how she was supposed to react.
Her savior—he looked completely human.
Was he joking with her?
"No. I'm not the same as the demons you know of in this world."
Edgar gave a faint smile. "My people are a race that stands on equal footing with the gods."
Anna stared, utterly baffled.
Claiming to be on the same level as gods?
Was her benefactor just bragging now?
Still, if she didn't say anything, the silence would get way too awkward.
"I-I see… your race must be incredible, then."
Edgar: "…"
"No one ever told you your acting is terrible?"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way!" Anna blurted out, panicking.
Her voice was anxious, her expression uneasy.
Had she made him angry?
Edgar sighed and gave up on trying to explain further. This world clearly had no concept of demons—so what was the point?
"In short," he said quietly, "agreeing to your request is simple. Explaining it all would just take too long. The answer is this: become my follower. Reincarnate into my kind. From that day forward, you'll serve me for life."
Anna's face flared hot, blooming pink in an instant.
So that's what this was about?
After all that serious talk… was he actually proposing to her?
She sneaked a glance at Edgar. He was so handsome—and he had saved her life. Offering herself to him felt only natural.
"I… I accept."
Her heart was already saying yes a thousand times, but the words left her lips with a stammer, her cheeks burning.
Edgar's expression twisted strangely.
Something was off.
No—something was very off.
This woman… had she misunderstood completely?
Still, even if she had, the result was the same. That was what mattered.
Snap!
Edgar flicked his fingers. A shimmering barrier spread around them, sealing off the outside world. At the same time, his other hand extended, golden light gathering at his fingertip.
"Y-you're hurt!" Anna exclaimed.
"It's nothing. This is just part of the reincarnation ritual," he replied calmly.
"Oh… I see."
Anna nodded uncertainly. "Then… what do I need to do?"
"First, take off your outer clothes."
Her eyes flew wide, her face instantly blazing red again.
Wait. What?
"W-wha—huh?! R-right here?!"
Were they… were they going to consummate things already?
Wasn't that a little too bold?! At least do it in a bedroom…
Anna's entire body burned, as if she might faint at any moment.
Edgar rubbed at his temple.
Great. She was imagining things again.
"Just your outer layer," he muttered, exasperated.
If the timing weren't so bad, he'd almost want to smack her forehead himself.
He sighed. "Relax. It's only the outer robe. And there's nothing to be embarrassed about—the barrier is up. No one can see us."
Anna wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
She squeezed her eyes shut, took a long breath, and forced herself to calm down before opening them again.
"O-okay… I understand."
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, then slipped off her outer garment.
Underneath was only a thin white underdress—delicate fabric that did little to hide the faint curves and softness beneath.
"Is… is there anything else I need to do?"
Anna's voice trembled slightly.
She had already accepted Edgar as her master.But actually going through with this ritual—God, it was so embarrassing.
Edgar extended a finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto Anna's skin.
Buzz—
"That's enough. Leave the rest to me."
A flash of light burst forth, a faint heart-shaped mark flickering across her skin before vanishing.
Then—
Countless strange symbols began to swirl and flow inside the light.
Anna's pupils widened. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, so loud it felt like her chest might burst. Something was surging up from deep inside her body.
At the same time, her back and tailbone began to shift and change.
Edgar, however, paid no attention to her transformation. His eyes were fixed on the panel before him:
[Anna]
[Race: Demon]
[Level: LV9]
[Master: Edgar Lucifergus]
[Skill: Eye of Insight]
[Eye of Insight: Greatly enhances dynamic vision, allowing the user to predict the enemy's movements and read their attack trajectories.]
Edgar nodded slightly at the information.
The Eye of Insight wasn't the flashiest ability, but in a battle against someone of the same level, it could tip the scales completely. A plain-looking skill, yet undeniably powerful.
The ritual ended.
Anna stood frozen for a moment, dazed. Instinctively she clenched her fists—and was stunned to feel her strength multiply, dozens of times over.
She glanced back at the wings and tail now sprouting behind her.
So… she really wasn't human anymore.
But if this power meant she could help save the townspeople… then it was worth it.
Besides—
"Here, take this. Look it over."
Edgar handed her a sheet of paper, where he'd written down the information.
"What's this?"
"Your attribute sheet," he explained simply.
Anna blinked, then looked it over. "It's kind of like a status panel…"
Her gaze moved carefully across the words. No class, only her race. And there—her master's name. She repeated it silently in her heart, committing it to memory.
Then her eyes lit up.
She'd seen it. Her skill—[Eye of Insight].
She actually had such a powerful ability now?
Back when she'd been just a farmer, her only skills had been things like tending crops. And now… now she finally had real combat power.
"Master… thank you. Thank you so much for this gift."
Anna lifted her head, stars practically sparkling in her eyes. Admiration and awe filled her expression.
"Good. Then it's time we deal with that so-called hero."
Edgar casually dispelled the barrier that kept others away.
"Understood, Master."
Anna nodded firmly. She looked toward the distant fires, then stooped to pick up a fallen soldier's weapon.
This subordinate wasn't bad at all.
Edgar noticed it instantly and gave another approving nod.
Power could be trained, stats could be raised with the help of a panel and his guidance. But for someone who'd been an ordinary human just moments ago to embrace her new form so quickly—and even show a will to fight—that was truly rare.
At that moment, Freya also walked over.
"Princess Freya?"
"Master, there you are."
Anna's eyes flew wide at the sight.
She… she called him "Master" too?
Wait—Princess Freya was also his servant?
The realization hit her like a thunderbolt, leaving her mind reeling in shock.
"Who's this?"
"She's Anna, my new vassal."
At those words, Freya's lips curved into a smile.
Well, now—that was good news.
Even while they'd been traveling these past few days, their master hadn't exactly gone easy on her. Having another girl around to share the burden… yeah, that sounded perfect.
Anna: ???
Why do I feel this creeping sense of dread?
"Come on."
Edgar gestured for them to follow and started toward the largest mansion in town.
That place had once belonged to a wealthy merchant. Now, it served as the residence of Brett—the so-called Hero of Cannon.
It didn't take long before the three of them drew the soldiers' attention.
"Anna, I'll leave them to you."
For small fry like these, Edgar couldn't even be bothered to lift a hand when he had a vassal at his side.
"..."
Anna glanced at Freya, hesitation flickering in her eyes. Was she really supposed to cut down the kingdom's soldiers in front of the princess herself?
"No need to look at me."
Freya's smile widened, sly and amused. "Just remember—our master's orders are absolute."
"Got it."
Anna nodded firmly. Her grip tightened around the hilt of her blade, her hand trembling with excitement.
The moment her eyes fell on those filthy soldiers, she'd already been itching to strike. Now… there was nothing holding her back.
Shhhk!
Steel flashed, carving a strange, fluid arc through the air.
Anna had never formally trained with a blade. But with her sharp instincts, her eyes picked out countless weaknesses, and her body moved almost on its own. She raised her sword—then swung.
"..."
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